We are truly disheartened to learn of the Supreme Court decision to uphold the Trump Administration’s policy to bar most transgender people from serving in the military. The vote lifts two injunctions that have been in place while challenges to the ban are proceeding through the lower courts. Given this and other recent events, many transgender and gender non-binary people have expressed concerns about their general safety and inclusion.

At UCSF, we unequivocally support our transgender students, staff, faculty, and trainees, and we reaffirm our long-standing commitment to all gender identities. We see you, we value you, and we recognize your important contributions to our campus.

The UCSF Office of Diversity and Outreach is coordinating across the campus to seek additional ways to create an inclusive, welcoming, and safe climate for all. UCSF has assembled a Task Force to implement Senate Bill 179, the Gender Recognition Act, which made California the second state to adopt a non-binary gender marker on state documents. This legislation, effective January 1, 2019, makes it easier for transgender people who live in California to obtain identity documents that reflect their gender.

As you know, since December 22, 2018, the federal government has been on partial shutdown. We know that many of you may be affected in some way or know individuals who are experiencing a direct impact, and it is our hope that our elected officials will soon come to a resolution so that the hundreds of thousands of federal workers who are on furlough will receive their salaries.

At this time, we are aware of limited to minimal disruption across UCSF.

Prior to the shutdown, Congress passed – and the President signed into law – two appropriations bills that funded 75 percent of the federal government, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Defense Department, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, through September 30, 2019. ...